The stories in this collection are the finalists of the 2022 International Amy MacRae Award for Memoir, an annual contest that celebrates excellence in short works of memoir writing.

Memoir writing, or personal essay, is defined as a work of creative nonfiction that illustrates a personal experience using literary techniques and narrative devices. Rather than simply recounting past events, successful memoir tends to offer a higher perspective on that past, using personal experience as an illustration of universal themes and endeavouring to find meaning or understanding from the story it sketches. At its best, memoir is a generous art form.

The pieces in this collection offer a fascinating diversity of styles, experiences and voices. Together they are an offering of inspiration and a testament to the beauty, value, and transformational power of memoir.